Men’s hockey wins, advances to NCAA Semifinals

Story by Chris Reinoos

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s men’s hockey team defeated two-time defending national champion St. Norbert 3-1 Saturday night to advance to the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in school history.

The Blugolds held a 2-1 lead heading after two periods. The Green Knights pulled their goalie late in the third period and Eau Claire senior forward Kurt Weston scored an empty-net goal with less than a minute left to seal the game for the Blugolds.

The victory also gave the Blugolds a measure of revenge after St. Norbert beat them 3-0 March 2 in the Northern Hockey Collegiate Association Championship.

The Blugolds will now travel to Lake Placid, N.Y. for a semifinal game against Utica College (N.Y.), who defeated Bowdoin College (Maine) 4-2 Saturday night. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 15.

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